Feb. 15, 2013 4:18 p.m. | A 19-year-old Waukesha man was charged with second-degree sexual assault on Friday after allegedly showing his then 13-year-old stepsister a pornographic film and masturbating in her bed.

The man, who will not be identified to protect the victim's privacy, was charged on Feb. 15 in Waukesha County Circuit Court with sexual assault of a child under 16 years of age and exposing a child to harmful material.

According to the complaint:

The girl, now 14, contacted her mother on June 25, 2012 and told her that her stepbrother had sexually assaulted her. Her mother called police, who had the girl speak with a specialist at Waukesha Family Services.

Advanced placement students' artwork will be on display for the gallery night while refreshments will also be provided. The event will raise money for the scholarship fund, a memorium for the Brigg family.

Admission is $25. Nicole Boemer at (414) 628-5305 can be reached if you have any questions or would like to donate money toward the students' scholarships.

Feb. 15, 2013 1:50 p.m. | Waukesha residents who have noticed items missing from their vehicles in the 100 block of W. Main Street may want to contact the police.

Three men have been charged with allegedly “car shopping” at several underground parking garages in the 100 block of W. Main Street in June of 2012, stealing more than $6,000 worth of items from approximately 25 different cars.

Hartland resident Jaimie L Hernandez, 17, was charged on Feb. 14 in Waukesha County Circuit Court with two felony counts of burglary of a building or dwelling and one felony count of theft, between $5,000 and $10,000. Waukesha residents Jamal D. Johnson and Zachary A. Nehring, both 18, were charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court with the same felonies.

Approximately 50 items suspected to have been stolen from vehicles in the area have still not been claimed by residents and are being held by the Waukesha Police Department.

Feb. 15, 2013 1:30 p.m. | Residents interested in contributing to the refurbishing project of Veterans Memorial Park have an opportunity to get more from their donation - if they act quickly.

Oconomowoc residents and philanthropists Craig Schiefelbein and Dirk Debbink have extended the deadline to match donations of $100 and over through their family foundations, if the commitment is made by the end of the day, Saturday, Feb. 23.

And there’s bound to be lots of them as comedian Anita Renfroe, featured on TV and radio, brings her show to Crosspoint Community Church on North Lake Road in Oconomowoc. Shows are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Renfroe is well-known for her popular YouTube video showing a mom singing everything she says to her children in a day to "The William Tell Overture."

Tickets are $15. Call (262) 567-5311 to reserve seats. For more information go to www.crosspointwi.com.

There are also a couple fish fries and a spaghetti dinner this weekend you might want to check out as well as the annual Waukesha Rotary Club Pancake Day.

Feb. 14, 2013 5:55 p.m. | Daniel S. Koepke, convicted in Washington County last November for exposing himself to his six-year-old cousin and masturbating on her bed, was charged on Thursday with allegedly groping another underage girl in the Village of Sussex sometime between 2010 and 2011.

Koepke, 18, was charged on Feb. 14 in Waukesha County Circuit Court with first degree sexual assault, contact with a child under age 13.

Koepke, previously residing in Sussex, began serving his 22 month prison sentence for his previous conviction on Jan. 24, according to online criminal records.

If convicted of first-degree sexual assault, Koepke could face up to 60 years in prison.

Feb. 14, 2013 4:23 p.m. | The Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce's summer farmers market will move to the parking lot behind Wisconsin Avenue businesses and between the depot restaurant.

Executive Director Katie Miller said the Chamber began seeking a new location when City Planner Jason Gallo said there is a chance construction could begin in the current space by this summer. Fowler Lake Village multiuse development is planned for that area.

Miller said the new location gives the market more spaces to offer vendors and better accessibility. She said the market will only take up a portion of the lot allowing parking in about half of the lot.

Feb. 14, 2013 2:46 p.m. | Meet Michele Koper, the new director of KM Global, and Kevin Erickson, director of KM Perform at a parent coffee on Friday, Feb. 15 at 9a.m. at Kettle Moraine High School in room 309.

Koper and Erickson will share information about the two charter high schools located within KMHS. Learn what charter students’ schedules look like and the opportunities they have to explore areas of interest. Also, find out about the synergy between the charter schools and the “legacy” high school. This information will help parents decide if open enrollment is an option that might be a great fit for their child.

Feb. 14, 2013 1:17 p.m. | Village of Hartland — An 18-year-old Hartland woman was charged with allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from a woman she baby-sat for between May and August of last year.

Ashley P. Koglin, 231 Willow Drive, was charged on Feb. 14 in Waukesha County Circuit Court with felony theft, alleged to have stolen approximately $2,715 from Angela Proell.

According to the criminal complaint:

The Village of Hartland Police Department was contacted by Proell in June 2011 about thefts she believed occurred at her residence.

She said that she had set aside envelopes for each of her children containing between $350 and $515. The money from the envelopes was missing, she told police, as well as money from her children’s rooms.

Feb. 14, 2013 1:05 p.m. | According to a news release sent by Waukesha County Technical College, two vacated seats on the WCTC District Board have been filled.

The WCTC District Board is made up of nine appointed members who are residents of the district, including two employers, two employees, three additional members, a school district administrator and one elected official who holds a state or local office. All serve on a voluntary basis. The members of the board are appointed by a board appointment committee comprised of the county board chairpersons of the counties included, all or in part, in the WCTC district including Waukesha, Dodge, Jefferson and Racine.

Luis Hernandez Jr. will fill the unexpired term for the “Additional Member” category due to the resignation of Board member Carolyn Evenson. He will serve January 29, 2013 – June 30, 2014.

Alan A. Karch will fill the “Employee” category and serve January 29, 2013 – June 30, 2015. He is the manufacturing plant manager for Bruno Independent Living Aids in Oconomowoc.

Feb. 14, 2013 11:36 a.m. | A 36-year-old Waukesha woman was charged with allegedly shaking her niece’s infant son and slamming his head against a couch on two separate occasions, causing severe brain bleeding and potentially leaving the child permanently blind in one eye.

Toni M. Mackay, 1475 Cleveland Ave. in Waukesha, was charged on Feb. 13 in Waukesha County Circuit Court with felony physical abuse of a child, recklessly causing great bodily harm.

At an initial appearance on Feb. 14, bail was set at $15,000, not including a warrant fee, and Mackay was ordered not to babysit any children, other than her own child.

A member of the victim’s family, who will not be identified to protect the privacy of the family, said Mackay ran a day care from her home. She said Mackay babysat children that were not family and she was paid for watching them.

According to the Department of Children & Families, the woman was not licensed to provide childcare. Waukesha Police Sargeant Jerry Habanek said that Mackay allegedly cared for three different children at her home, not including her own child and the victim. He said police have not found any evidence of other incidents of abuse.

Feb. 14, 2013 9:56 a.m. | The phone system at Lake Country Publications' Hartland office will be out of service for a time beginning at about 11:30 a.m. today while our system is upgraded. Email will still be available.

The phones should be restored at some point this afternoon. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

Feb. 14, 2013 9:17 a.m. | Adopting a ministry right in their own back yard was The Real Estate Company’s objective this year.

“Project Valentine” had always involved local schools creating Valentines to send to overseas U.S. troops. This year the realty company decided to adopt Shorehaven residents, dispatching seven area elementary schools to create heartfelt Valentines for nursing home residents.

“The children had a blast with the assignment,” said realtor Nicole Gillette. “They were excited to have the residents remembered. This is the first year we’ve adopted a local mission and we’re delighted with the outcome.”

Feb. 13, 2013 10:58 p.m. | While the Town of Mukwonago police commission delves into complaints filed against Town Police Chief Tom Czarnecki and Sgt. Eric Schmidt, police officer Chris Heckman sits about a month away from losing a paycheck after being sidelined for not meeting new hearing standards.

Heckman told the police commission he brought complaints forward of violating state law by offering incentives for issuing citations and performance standards pushing officers to issue more citations to make the commission aware of the situation and allow it to investigate. Had Heckman brought specific charges against Czarnecki and Schmidt, the matter would have gone to an evidentiary hearing, rather than an investigation by the police commission.

However, the issue of Heckman being forced to use sick and holiday time to continue receiving pay will be dealt with through a grievance complaint filed by Heckman after commission members determined the issue was not within their jurisdiction as a police commission.

The shape of the vacant building will remain the same and the inside will be remodeled into a showroom. The exterior of the building will be repainted brown, architectural elements added and landscaping improved.

Also at the meeting, Jason Dvorak who owns the building that houses Accentuate! and Vino Etcetera received approval to renovate the exterior of the building. Plans are to move the building's facade closer to the street, add more windows and improve the facade overall including repainting the building a darker red color and stucco on some of the facade.

Plans are for Vino Etcetera to take over the entire space with the same appeal downstairs and a wine bar atmosphere upstairs, Dvorak said.

Feb. 13, 2013 4:01 p.m. | The Mukwonago High School Organizations and Mukwonago Rotary have teamed up with the nonprofit Simple Hope to hold a community packathon from 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday, Feb. 16, at the high school.

This is an opportunity for local community members to help support the global community in providing food for impoverished areas of the world.

Each participant is required to raise $25. Volunteer time is estimated to be about one hour.

Feb. 13, 2013 1:39 p.m. | UPDATE: On June 17, Lexa pleaded no contest to two counts of battery and pleaded guilty to one count of using a computer to threaten harm, according to court records.

Charges of stalking and endangering safety with a weapon were dismissed but taken into account in sentencing.

Judge William Domina sentenced Lexa to a year in jail, but that sentence was suspended in lieu of four years' probation, the records state. Domina said that if there were no new criminal violations, Lexa could be released from probation after 18 months.

Under the terms of his probation, Lexa is not to possess any weapons and must maintain absolute sobriety. He may use a computer for employment, but is barred from using a computer to harass or threaten.

City of Waukesha - A 17-year-old Waukesha resident has been charged with stalking a former girlfriend, allegedly holding a knife to her throat and at one point threatening her through a self-penned rap song.

Feb. 13, 2013 7:31 a.m. |
The filing deadline for spring preprimary campaigning closed Feb. 11. The last leg of the race is important in this intense, short campaign season for those vying for the 98th Assembly.

Jeanne Tarantino raised $14,780.58 during the January reporting period, according to the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board and Campaign Finance Information System. Ed Baumann followed closely, having raised $12,842.59. Adam Neylon raised $9,654.28, Matt Morzy raised $2,155, and Todd Greenwald raised $150 during the same fundraising period. These funds are mostly from individual contributors.

The numbers show us a few things.

Baumann, for example, clocks in with the most small business owners showing their support. He’s tallied six business owners and three business presidents who chose to identify as such. Many are from Pewaukee, such as Tony Goff who is associated with Goff's Curtain Walls and Goff's Autobody. Other Baumann endorsements include the NRA and Christopher McIntosh, who created The Dirty Girl Mud Run.

Neylon secured donations from a handful of people who identified themselves as legislative aides, such as Matt Adamczyk who’s worked with State Sen. Leah Vukmir and David Curt who’s worked in Assemblyman Bill Kramer’s office.

Feb. 13, 2013 6:45 a.m. | In a thriller, Sussex Hamilton's boys basketball team fell to Brookfield Central in double overtime on Tuesday, falling back into a tie for first place in the Greater Metro Conference.

Feb. 12, 2013 10:42 p.m. | The best decision of the night didn't come from Arrowhead boys basketball coach Craig Haase of any of his players. The best decision on this night came from Haase's assistant coaches Jim LaVoi and John Hoch.

With visiting Mukwonago holding on to a precarious 47-46 lead with just over three minutes left in the game, senior Kyle Keranen was sitting on the bench after scoring just three points in the game's first 29 minutes.

But despite struggling with his shot, Hoch and LaVoi convinced Haase to get Keranen back into the game. And that turned out to be the best move of the night as Keranen scored eight of his team's final 10 points in the final 2:51 to turn that one point deficit into an eventual 56-51 Classic 8 Conference victory.

"I trust all of my assistants, and sure enough, as soon as he goes in, he hits a three to put us up and we went on to win the game," Haase said. "That's the trust I have in my assistants and the trust we have in each other. That was a great call by my assistants. I wish I could take the credit, but this one belongs to those guys."

The victory, before the largest crowd of the season, was monstrous for the 14th-ranked Warhawks. It not only moved them to 18-3 on the season but also vaulted them into sole possession of first place on the league standings with just one game left. Arrowhead is now 12-1 in league play and will close out the conference season Friday with a game against Waukesha West (13-8, 8-5). Mukwonago, ranked 12th in this week's state AP poll, is second at 11-2.

Feb. 12, 2013 10:14 p.m. | This wasn't the same atmosphere as last year, when the Hamilton girls basketball team won a conference title for the first time. This season, after the Chargers sealed at least a share of the Greater Metro crown with a 45-32 win over Brookfield Central on Feb. 12, there was no wild celebration, net cutting or fans lingering for 45 minutes thereafter.

This time, the work isn't even finished.

The Chargers weren't ever really threatened against the Lancers in a complete performance that moved Hamilton to 20-1 overall and 13-0 in the GMC. The Chargers now turn their sights to an outright crown, with a battle against Divine Savior Holy Angels, a team one game back in the loss column, awaiting Feb. 21.

"We were prepared for Brook Central," said Hamilton guard Hannah Menzia, who led the Chargers with 13 points."We knew who their shooters were, and we got out on them. We know they drive baseline, so we worked on that. We got the scouting report done and worked really hard in practice."

Menzia and her teammates had their own baseline jumpers working well, with Central focusing its defensive attention on stopping Chargers post Mackenzie Latt. Freshman Taylor Klug added a pair of 3-pointers in the first quarter to help her team grab a 16-10 lead after the first quarter, and the edge swelled to 24-14 by halftime even though Latt missed most of the quarter with a bloody nose.

Feb. 12, 2013 5:52 p.m. | After several years of study, the City of Milwaukee and Waukesha County are close to agreement on a plan to jointly operate a recycling program.

Mayor Tom Barrett, who worked with Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakas on the proposal, called it a perfect example of a blue city (Democratic) working with a red county (Republican).

"We have worked together and we are pleased with this," Barrett said Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the Common Council's Public Works Committee will consider a resolution that would set in motion a plan to enter into a contract for the processing of recyclables under a single-stream system. In a single-stream system, residents put their recyclables into one container; the materials are separated at a facility.

Feb. 12, 2013 4:35 p.m. | At the Feb. 11 Village of Dousman Board Meeting, an agenda item regarding coyotes stood out among other business related bullet points.

According to Village President Jack Nissen, there have been increased reports of coyote sightings in urban areas. This includes one report that a group of coyotes killed a fawn during the day in the northern end of the city.

Nissen is urging residents to take caution, especially with pets.

"We would just like residents to know that they need to take cautionary measures," Nissen said. "They should not let dogs loose or even have them tied up outside for an extended period of time. That’s like bait for a coyote."

The same goes for cats and other small pets. Residents should also be especially sensitive to picking up trash and monitoring compost piles where coyotes often find food.

Feb. 12, 2013 4:14 p.m. | The Ashippun Business Association will host a candidate forum at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, at Ashippun Town Hall. The forum is for those candidates seeking Ashippun Town Board positions coming up for election this spring.
The following candidates will be running: Chairman – Steven J. Panozzo (inc.), William Bremer and Andrew Sellinger; Supervisor #1 – James Meyer (inc.); Supervisor #2 – William Bremer (inc.), David Adkins and Wayne Uttke.
A primary election will be held Tuesday, Feb. 19 and the final election will be Tuesday, April 2.

Feb. 12, 2013 11:58 a.m. | Village of Pewaukee — A 19-year-old man faces a year in prison after allegedly refusing to put out a lit cigarette at a Friday night party and shoving an arresting officer.

Aaron T. Malmberg, 466 Park Ave. in Pewaukee, was charged on Feb. 11 in Waukesha County Circuit Court with misdemeanor resisting an officer and disorderly conduct.

According to the criminal complaint:

The Pewaukee Village Police Department was contact Feb. 8 about an underage drinking party at 466 Park Ave., apt. unit 8. The responding officer said he could hear “extremely loud noises” coming from inside the apartment, including what sounded like two men shouting at each other.

A man opened the apartment door and the officer said he saw numerous alcohol bottles in the apartment and several individuals the officer recognized as being under the age of 21.

Feb. 12, 2013 11:20 a.m. | A 52-year-old Waukesha woman was charged with two misdemeanors and felony substantial battery after allegedly throwing a pair of scissors at her fiancé on Feb. 10, cutting his arm.

The woman, who will not be identified to protect the alleged victim, was charged on Feb. 11 in Waukesha County Circuit Court with disorderly conduct, negligent handling of a weapon and substantial battery.

According to the criminal complaint:

The incident took place around 1:30 a.m. in an apartment on S. West Avenue in the City of Waukesha. The woman’s fiancé said the couple, who had been living together for five months, got into an argument.

She was calling him names and he allegedly slapped her in the face. The woman then allegedly threw a pair of scissors at him, which cut his forearm and required three stitches at the hospital.

Feb. 12, 2013 10:56 a.m. | East Troy FIRST LEGO League (FLL) team The 4th Motor is one of many FLL teams world-wide attempting to win the FLL Global Innovation Award. Voting began this week for the award, which is being sponsored by the X-Prize Foundation and Edison Nation in cooperation with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and AARP.

FLL teams are encouraged to submit the innovative solutions their teams came up with during this season’s FLL Senior Solutions competition. Teams that finish in the top 10 in voting will be included as one of 20 teams considered for one of three finalist teams that will be invited to the USPTO office in Virginia to present their invention as well as a chance to be awarded up to $20,000 to use to develop, produce and take their product to market.

The 4th Motor submitted its Fall Detection System invention, SS 240, a bracelet that detects when a senior falls and can notify emergency personnel of the fall. Learn more about the team, its invention and vote for The 4th Motor here. People can vote as many times as they want each day. Currently the team has collected more than 2,000 votes with the top inventions receiving more than 14,000 votes so far.

Feb. 12, 2013 9:55 a.m. | A 40-year-old woman was charged on Monday with allegedly robbing the independently owned Books & Company bookstore on Summit Avenue in the City of Oconomowoc on Feb. 5.

Heather J. Preiss, 419 Summit Ave. in Oconomowoc, was charged on Feb. 11 in Waukesha County Circuit Court with robbery with threat of force, repeater. Preiss was previously convicted of possession of narcotics with intent to distribute in 2011, for which she was sentenced to two years probation and 50 hours community service.

Justin J. Thielen, 24, was charged on Feb. 14 in Waukesha County Circuit Court with misdemeanor receiving stolen property. Thielen was originally charged with being party to the crime of robbery, but those charges were dropped.

According to the criminal complaint:

City of Oconomowoc Police was dispatched around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 5 for a robbery in progress at Books & Company, 1039 E. Summit Ave.

Feb. 12, 2013 9:06 a.m. | City of Waukesha — A 34-year-old homeless man was charged with misdemeanor resisting an officer and disorderly conduct after allegedly screaming obscenities and refusing to leave the Alano Club, a “bar” for recovering alcoholics, on Feb. 9.

Jacob J. Smith was “extremely intoxicated” according to the criminal complaint, registering a .267 on a police administered breath test.

He has been arrested 35 times since the age of 17, according to the complaint, and had just been released from prison on Jan. 31. He was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court on Feb. 11.

According to the criminal complaint:

Police found Smith laying down inside the Alano Club, 318 W. Broadway, at around 7:45 p.m. on Feb. 9. Patron Michael Mann said Smith was yelling at people outside on Broadway before coming inside and saying he was homeless. Mann bought Smith food and coffee and the man allegedly began screaming obscenities and causing a disturbance.

Feb. 11, 2013 8:37 p.m. | Town of Lisbon - Emil Glodoski, former president of the Pauline Haass Library Board, tonight appeared at a town board meeting to defend the library board's plans to sue the Town Board for control of land donated to the town by the late Pauline Haass.

"It is a legal question that has to be resolved," Glodoski told the Town Board.

Glodowski said legal action was necessary because Town Chairman Matt Gehrke has said there is a possibility the town might not extend beyond 2014 a joint library funding agreement with the Village of Sussex.

The town and village jointly fund library operating and building expenses. A portion of the town's share of the cost is paid for by rent the town collects on the farm land.

Town officials have contended for years they have exclusive control over the land. Some town officials are unhappy the town will have to help pay for the legal expenses.

Feb. 11, 2013 4:23 p.m. | Advance tickets for the Mukwonago High School performance of “Beauty and the Beast.” can be purchased at Mukwonago High School from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21 by using the east or commons entrance or during lunch hour in the commons from 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Feb. 13, 14, 15, 20 and 21 by using the visitor entrance.

Reserved seating is $11 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for students and children. Tickets at the door are $12 for adults, $11 for seniors and $9 for students and children.

Performances are at 7 p.m. Feb. 22, 23, 24, March 1 and 2 and at 2 p.m. March 2 and 3 in the MHS auditorium.

For more information, contact Mary Coughlin at (262) 613-2048 or mhs.annual.musical@gmail.com.

Feb. 11, 2013 4:02 p.m. | Section Elementary School hopes to pilot a new personalized learning model, Innovative Personal Learning Communities (IPLC), during the 2013-14 school year. IPLC would include two multiage groups, grades one through three and four through six, in an environment designed to engage learners in the rigorous, Common Core Standards-based curriculum tailored to the learning needs, styles and specific interests of students.

Section staff members will present a fully developed pilot plan to the School Board Learning Committee at 6:45 p.m. tonight, at the district office on Highway NN.

Feb. 11, 2013 11:20 a.m. | Town of Delafield — The 31-year-old Delafield man shot by police on Jan. 9 after allegedly pointing a shotgun at his father and refusing to relinquish the weapon was charged with two misdemeanors on Feb. 7.

Justin G. Ebbe was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court with negligent handling of a weapon and disorderly conduct. Justin pleaded not guilty to the charges at court on Thursday and was released on a $5,000 signature bond cosigned by his father.

According to the criminal complaint:

Deputies from the Waukesha and Walworth County Sheriff’s Departments were dispatched to the Ebbe residence at N2 W31808 Twin Oaks Drive in Delafield on the afternoon of Feb. 7.

Ebbe’s parents, Paul Ebbe and Jane Graff, told police that Justin was in a bedroom upstairs with a loaded shotgun, threatening to commit suicide. Paul Ebbe was in the room with his son trying to stop him.

Weekend Happenings

Featured this week:

Lake Country Carvers Annual Show & Sale: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 1, Life Enrichment Center, 1306 W. Wisconsin Ave., Oconomowoc. See the works of talented carvers and vote for your favorite. There will be carvings available for sale and a silent auction. Food available. (262) 567-8768, www.oconomowoc.org